Is there any way for me to get a free boating license?

yeah he can find someone else to pay for it

according to the boat us foundation web site, you can take the approved boating safety course free at their web site http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/Ohio.asp hope this helps

There's fre online courses but as far as the actual certification you may have to pay a fee...

As per boating regulation of your state you need to pay fee for boating license.There are free course available but you have to pay for getting new license.

This isn't an answer, per se., but a commentary on what others have said... Perhaps your son doesn't want his license because he wants YOU to buy a boat..I don't know..Maybe he has a FRIEND (or other relative) that has a boat. People may not have thought of that!!! I really don't think there is a "cheap" way to get it. I am from CT, and my husband and I had to take a course that did cost quite a bit for the both of us (I am not sure HOW much it was now since my hubby wrote the check and it's been four years, but it was at LEAST $50 for the both of us). But, it is probably manageable for you if your son is the only one who wants a license. Even if you find an on-line course, you'll probably still need to pay a fee to take the test. In CT, you CAN challenge the test w/o the course. You may be able to do this in Ohio but I wouldn't recommend it IF your son knows nothing about boating; he would probably fail in that case. If he really wants this, and YOU cannot afford it, have him mow lawns, do yard work, do grocery shopping for elderly neighbors. If he is a responsible lad, he can even put in an ad. for dog walking!! There are many ways he can earn the funds for this! Sorry I could not be of more help, but I hate to see so many negative replies..With the info. you gave, NOBODY knows if he wants his own boat (which..if he DOES want his own boat, they are right..if you cannot afford the safe boating course fee, you won't be able to afford a boat/insurance, etc.), OR if he just wants his license to be able to drive someone else's boat!!! Hope this helped...a little??!!